Any idea what these spots are ? could it be dishwater soap residue? I sprayed that on the lower leaves a few days ago. Just in case, I took two leaves off in fear that it is some disease .. don't want to take off more of the lower leaves which also exhibit some faint spots like these if it's nothing to worry about.

Also how do I get rid of fungus gnats (I think it is fungus gnats). I have these little tiny bugs in the soil and maybe one fly around the croton.

Fungus gnats are a sure sign you are over watering. Let the soil surface dry out, even if it means watering from the bottom. Don't water until you can't feel moisture in the top inch of soil. (Wow, too many negatives in one sentence.) Stick your finger in the soil. If the top inch is dry, water (by putting water in the saucer).

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

Thanks for the reply. Ya I don't think it is residue.. when I try to scrape it off, it's sort of breaking the leaf because I think I'm putting too much pressure and poking through the leaf. Also the croton stem at the bottom is looking a bit brownish white and 'dry' , is that normal?

I also removed the first inch of soil from the top and through it away to try to get rid of the larvae. Now I'm literally trying to dry it out . I'll water it from the bottom, should I just make this a common practice ?

It sounds like you are over-watering. I wouldn't make watering from the bottom a practice as the soil needs to be flushed out periodically. The important thing is that you wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering again.

I hope you used the same potting soil for the soil you replaced. Different soils layered don't necessarily play well together.

If you are breaking the leaves scrapiing off the white stuff, it could be scarring from some previous injury. Is it just on that leaf? Or all or several?

Can you post a photo of the whole plant and the bottom of the stem?

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

When I removed the top inch of soil from the philo plant that appeared to have the fungus gnats, I did not yet replace it. Should I just repot it? If so, what soil / soil brand should I use? I have lowes and Home Depot nearby. It's just confusing Bc the new leaves are green and look healthy; perhaps I should leave it alone and pray the gnats die. Should I spray some dishwater soap on the soil?

I should also mention that I found some fungus fuzz when I looked at the bottom of the pot of the philo probably from the overwatering 🤕, should I repot?

I'm attaching the pics of the croton. Anywhere you see a hole or a tear in the leaf was caused by me when I tried to remove those strange bacteria looking patches. The white stuff is sparingly on the lower leaves and not on the top, more colorful leaves.

I attached a pic of the stem as well. Lemme know what that Brown dry stuff is on the stem... hopefully nothing to be worried about.

And what type of soil for croton? And a split leaf philo if you know? Sorry for asking so many questions and sounding paranoid, the internet has different answers and I just wanna learn so I take good care of them...Thank you!

It looks like your Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) may have a scale infestation . If the bumps are slightly raised and scrape off easily with your finger nail then it is scale. They any also be along the leaf stems as well as on the leaves themselves.

To treat scale, mix a solution of 5 parts water, 1 part alcohol and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Then drench all of the leaves and stems until they are dripping wet and wipe away the raised bumps.

For the fungus gnats, remove all loose soil from the surface of the rootball not in direct contact with the roots . The gnat larvae reside in the uppermost layer of soil. Removing the extra soil will also help the soil dry out sooner down below.

Will Creed
Horticultural Help, NYC
www.HorticulturalHelp.com
Contact me directly at [email protected]
I now have a book available on indoor plant care

It doesn't look like raised bumps and yes they do scrape off with my finger nail..it looks more liked "dried skin". When I scrape it off, is it supposed to look like bugs? becuase it absolutely does not resemble bugs. It really just looks like dried skin to me. Of course, I know nothing about scales..

Will it be necessary to repot the philodendron plant that had the fungus gnats. I assume they are gone..the new top layer of the soil is completely dry after I removed the "old" top layer. I did not yet replace the soil yet.